1. ANCIENT ROME
INTRODUCTION

2. WHAT DO WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT ANCIENT ROME?
People? Places? Gods/Goddesses?

4. THE LAND OF THE ROMANS
The land of the Romans was about 3x larger than that of the Greeks.
Hilly and mountainous - made transport and communications difficult.
Rome’s economy depended on agriculture and was lucky to have large areas of fertile land ideal or farming.
Hills in the north(The Alps) helped protect Rome from invasion and the Apennines Mountain range runs down the eastern length of the peninsula which looks like a boot.
The mountains did not prevent the Romans from unifying under a single rule (unlike the Greeks)
Farming lands were located in the Po River Valley in the north,

5. Location, location, location!
Trade was lively because of its geographic location.
Romans could reach the Middle East, Greece, Spain and North Africa by sea.
Trade within Italy often relied on the use of the Tiber River to carry goods to and from Rome, the main urban center of the Roman civilization.

6. Because the major natural ports were found on the western side of the peninsula and Rome was located only 24 km from the Mediterranean most trade was experienced with civilizations to the west of Rome.

7. All Roads Lead To Rome
The emperors of Rome recognized the importance of trade and often constructed an extensive network of well paved, well drained roads that connected the sprawling empire together.
These highways improved the flow of trade traffic as well as support the movement of military personnel. Rome was an importer of antiques from Greece, linen from Syria, cotton from Egypt, hunting dogs from England, gold and silver from Spain, and ivory and wild animals from Africa. They even managed to make contact with China where they traded for silk and pepper from India.

8. Rivers
Italy has three major rivers that influenced the growth if Roman civilization: the Po River in the far north, the Arno River in Etruria and the Tiber River which flows through the city of Rome.

9. Po River
Arno River
It’s important to notice how early civilizations were heavily dependent on rivers and other bodies of water to help with trade and communication.
Tiber River

10. Influences on Rome:
Two influential groups occupied the Italian Peninsula: The Greeks and the Etruscans.
GREEKS
Built colonies there around BCE), which grew into prosperous city-states
Also occupied Sicily and the southern tip of the peninsula.
Greek culture flourished and they passed on their alphabet and artistic and cultural influences.
Prior to the growth of Rome as a central power Italy was occupied by a group of Indo-Europeans called the Latins, a group of farmers and herders who moved to the Peninsula around BCE.

11. Greek Influence

12. Etruscans Developed a civilization just north of Rome.
Highly sophisticated society.
Expanded into Rome around 650 BCE and ruled for almost 100 years.
Ruled by the Tarquin family.
The last King, known as Tarquin the Proud, was overthrown by the Romans in 509 BCE.
The Etruscans were the most influential group for the development of Ancient Rome. These people lived in Etruria, just north of Rome. They found Rome a village and turned it into a city. The Romans adopted Etruscan style – a toga and short cloak. The early Roman army also borrowed its organization from the Etruscans.

13. Etruscan Influence
During the 100 years under the Etruscan monarchial rule the Romans learned about the arch, aqueducts, harbour building, urban drainage, and metal working.
In addition to these influences the Romans also adopted the idea of compulsory military service as well as a view of governmental rule, in simple terms: oppressive kings are not welcomed.
Tomb painting of Etruscans wining and dining.

14. Video: Etruscan influence on Rome

15. Student Work
Complete map activity and questions